SOUTHEASTERN AFRICAN AMERICAN FARMERS’ ORGANIC NETWORK

OUR MISSION

SAAFON’s mission is to ensure the viability and economic success of Black farmers by increasing their organic and sustainable farm practices; advocating for Black sustainable farm ethic and values in the food system; and promoting links among Black farming, culture and history.

WHAT WE DO

Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON) provides education and training to small-scale underserved farmers and their communities on the best practices for creating sustainable and economically viable agricultural projects and programs.

EDUCATION & TRAININGS

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

FARMER NETWORK

COLLABORATION

OUR SERVICE

For nearly a decade, SAAFON has been dedicated to building a sustainable food system by protecting and preserving African American agricultural heritage through organic farming. By farming organically, we return to our cultural traditions, protect our land from harmful chemicals, preserve biodiversity and grow food with real worth.

As the first and largest network of African American organic farmers in the US, our goal is to raise the visibility of our farmers’ enterprises both nationally and internationally. We are a regional organization representing farmers in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the Virgin Islands. We have more than 120 farmer members and nearly 8,000 supporters — and we’re growing each day!

In 2013, Cynthia Hayes, theExecutive Director of SAAFON won the James Beard Leadership Award for her exemplary service to the sustainable agriculture and African American community. Believing that farmers could best articulate and meet their own needs, Cynthia brought together a group of farmers in 2006 for a workshop that planted the seed for SAAFON. Today, some of SAAFON’s original members are now serving on SAAFON’s Board of Directors.

We believe organic farming:

Is vital to the financial success to each of our farmers

Provides our communities with clean produce

Protects our land for future generations

We invite you to work with us to grow and strengthen our network of African American organic farmers growing good food for all.

Winona LaDuke

"Food for us comes from our relatives, whether they have wings or fins or roots. That is how we consider food. Food has a culture. It has a history. It has a story. It has relationships."

Access

Will Allen

"My father taught me that the fate of a seed can be predicted by the health of the soil where it takes root. This is true of summer crops. It can be true, in another sense, of people. We all need a healthy environment and a community that lets us fulfill our potential."